1910.179(n): Handling Loads With Overhead Cranes
Employers must not load a crane beyond its rated load except for tests, and loads must be rigged with slings or approved devices, secured and balanced before lifting more than a few inches. Operators must avoid sudden starts and stops, side pulls without authorization, moving anyone riding the load or hook, carrying loads over people, and lowering below two full wraps of rope, and must test brakes on near-rated loads.
Key takeaways
- 1910.179(n) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 101 times in the last 3 years, in 88 inspections, with $598,414 in current penalties.
- 6 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (12), OH (11), NY (10).
- Related part: 1910.179(n)(3) Moving the load (73 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.179(n) ("Handling the load") is one requirement inside 1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 20 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(n) Handling the load — 101 citations
(1) Size of load. The crane shall not be loaded beyond its rated load except for test purposes as provided in paragraph (k) of this section. 6 citations
(2) Attaching the load. Open (n)(2) 14 citations
(i) The hoist chain or hoist rope shall be free from kinks or twists and shall not be wrapped around the load. Open (n)(2)(i) 2 citations
(ii) The load shall be attached to the load block hook by means of slings or other approved devices. Open (n)(2)(ii) 9 citations
(iii) Care shall be taken to make certain that the sling clears all obstacles. 3 citations
(3) Moving the load. Open (n)(3) 73 citations
(i) The load shall be well secured and properly balanced in the sling or lifting device before it is lifted more than a few inches. Open (n)(3)(i) 25 citations
(ii) Before starting to hoist the following conditions shall be noted: 1 citations
(a) Hoist rope shall not be kinked.
(b) Multiple part lines shall not be twisted around each other.
(c) The hook shall be brought over the load in such a manner as to prevent swinging.
(iii) During hoisting care shall be taken that: Open (n)(3)(iii) 14 citations
(a) There is no sudden acceleration or deceleration of the moving load.
(b) The load does not contact any obstructions.
(iv) Cranes shall not be used for side pulls except when specifically authorized by a responsible person who has determined that the stability of the crane is not thereby endangered and that various parts of the crane will not be overstressed. 1 citations
(v) While any employee is on the load or hook, there shall be no hoisting, lowering, or traveling. 3 citations
(vi) The employer shall require that the operator avoid carrying loads over people. Open (n)(3)(vi) 18 citations
(vii) The operator shall test the brakes each time a load approaching the rated load is handled. The brakes shall be tested by raising the load a few inches and applying the brakes.
(viii) The load shall not be lowered below the point where less than two full wraps of rope remain on the hoisting drum.
(ix) When two or more cranes are used to lift a load one qualified responsible person shall be in charge of the operation. He shall analyze the operation and instruct all personnel involved in the proper positioning, rigging of the load, and the movements to be made. Open (n)(3)(ix) 1 citations
(x) The employer shall insure that the operator does not leave his position at the controls while the load is suspended. Open (n)(3)(x) 7 citations
(xi) When starting the bridge and when the load or hook approaches near or over personnel, the warning signal shall be sounded. Open (n)(3)(xi) 3 citations
(4) Hoist limit switch. Open (n)(4) 8 citations
(i) At the beginning of each operator's shift, the upper limit switch of each hoist shall be tried out under no load. Extreme care shall be exercised; the block shall be “inched” into the limit or run in at slow speed. If the switch does not operate properly, the appointed person shall be immediately notified. 8 citations
(ii) The hoist limit switch which controls the upper limit of travel of the load block shall never be used as an operating control.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.179.
Injuries linked to this rule
6 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.179(n).
At 11:00 a.m. on February 22, 2025, Employee #1 was laying out walkway handrails on the floor in preparation for installation on top of the coldbox project. While on a ladder checking and securing bolts on the handrails, the employee was struck by an overhead…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 49 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 20 |
Top states: TX (12), OH (11), NY (10), MN (6), ME (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 107829 - TC AMERICAN CRANE COMPANY | WAITE PARK, MN | $32,040 |
| ITS TECHNOLOGIES & LOGISTICS LLC | EDGERTON, KS | $23,171 |
| UNIVERSAL STAINLESS AND ALLOY PRODUCTS | DUNKIRK, NY | $16,550 |
| UNITED RENTALS | MICKLETON, NJ | $16,550 |
| CARDINAL GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC. | OCALA, FL | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.179(n), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Cranes and the use of protective helmets (2024-06-06)
- Whether crane lifting devices are considered to be part of the load and are allowed to be hoisted over personnel. (2007-11-16)
- Loads must be attached to the block hook by a sling or other approved device and may not be attached directly to the running rope. (2004-10-06)
- Testing of hoist limit switches. (2003-10-21)
- Operators of overhead and gantry cranes must not carry loads over people. (1999-03-24)
- An engine overhaul work station being developed. (1990-03-08)
- Crane operator's responsibility during hand banding operations. (1975-08-25)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.179(n)(3) Moving the load 73 citations
- 1910.179(n)(3)(i) 25 citations
- 1910.179(n)(3)(vi) 18 citations
- 1910.179(n)(2) Attaching the load 14 citations
- 1910.179(n)(3)(iii) 14 citations
- 1910.179(n)(2)(ii) 9 citations
- 1910.179(n)(4) Hoist limit switch 8 citations
- 1910.179(n)(3)(x) 7 citations
- 1910.179(n)(3)(xi) 3 citations
- 1910.179(n)(2)(i) 2 citations
- 1910.179(n)(3)(ix) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can the hoist rope be wrapped around the load?
No. The hoist chain or rope must be free of kinks or twists and must not be wrapped around the load.
When must brakes be tested?
Each time a load approaching the rated load is handled, by raising it a few inches and applying the brakes.
How much rope must remain on the drum?
The load must not be lowered below the point where less than two full wraps remain.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.179 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-21
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.